U.S. patent application number 12/503892 was filed with the patent office on 2011-01-20 for bar end electric shifter for bicycle.
This patent application is currently assigned to SHIMANO INC.. Invention is credited to Kazuhiro FUJII, Kiwame OKU.
Application Number | 20110011197 12/503892 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42041995 |
Filed Date | 2011-01-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110011197 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
OKU; Kiwame ; et
al. |
January 20, 2011 |
BAR END ELECTRIC SHIFTER FOR BICYCLE
Abstract
A bar end electric shifter is provided for bicycle. The bar end
electric shifter has a base member, a brake lever and a shift
operating member. The base member includes a handlebar mounting
portion and a brake lever mounting portion. The handlebar mounting
portion is configured to be fixedly mounted to a free end of a
handlebar. The brake lever is pivotally disposed on the brake lever
mounting portion about a brake pivot axis. The brake lever includes
an elongated brake operating portion extending from the brake pivot
axis and a proximal portion adjacent to the brake pivot axis. The
shift operating member is disposed on the proximal portion of the
brake lever to move therewith.
Inventors: |
OKU; Kiwame; (Osaka, JP)
; FUJII; Kazuhiro; (Osaka, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GLOBAL IP COUNSELORS, LLP
1233 20TH STREET, NW, SUITE 700
WASHINGTON
DC
20036-2680
US
|
Assignee: |
SHIMANO INC.
Osaka
JP
|
Family ID: |
42041995 |
Appl. No.: |
12/503892 |
Filed: |
July 16, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
74/473.12 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62M 25/04 20130101;
Y10T 74/2003 20150115; B60T 7/085 20130101; B62K 23/02 20130101;
B62M 25/08 20130101; B60T 7/102 20130101; B62K 23/06 20130101; B62L
3/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
74/473.12 |
International
Class: |
B62K 23/02 20060101
B62K023/02 |
Claims
1. A bar end electric shifter for bicycle comprising; a base member
including a handlebar mounting portion and a brake lever mounting
portion, with the handlebar mounting portion being configured to be
fixedly mounted to a free end of a handlebar; a brake lever
pivotally disposed on the brake lever mounting portion about a
brake pivot axis, the brake lever including an elongated brake
operating portion extending from the brake pivot axis and a
proximal portion adjacent to the brake pivot axis; and a shift
operating member disposed on the proximal portion of the brake
lever to move therewith.
2. The bar end electric shifter according to claim 1, wherein the
handlebar mounting portion is disposed on a first side of a plane
containing the brake pivot axis and extending perpendicular to a
center longitudinal axis of the free end of the handlebar when the
bar end electric shifter is attached to the handlebar of the
bicycle, and the shift operating member is at least partially
disposed on a second side of the plane containing the brake pivot
axis and extending perpendicular to the center longitudinal axis of
the free end of the handlebar when the bar end electric shifter is
attached to the handlebar of the bicycle.
3. The bar end electric shifter according to claim 1, further
comprising an electric switch disposed on the proximal portion of
the brake lever and configured to be activated by movement of the
shift operating member with respect to the brake lever.
4. The bar end electric shifter according to claim 1, wherein the
shift operating member is at least partially disposed above a plane
containing the brake pivot axis and extending parallel to a center
longitudinal axis of the free end of the handlebar when the bar end
electric shifter is attached to the handlebar of the bicycle.
5. The bar end electric shifter according to claim 1, further
comprising an additional shift operating member disposed on the
brake lever.
6. The bar end electric shifter according to claim 5, wherein the
shift operating member is disposed primarily above a plane
containing the brake pivot axis and extending parallel to a center
longitudinal axis of the free end of the handlebar when the bar end
electric shifter is attached to the handlebar of the bicycle, and
the additional shift operating member is disposed primarily below a
plane containing the brake pivot axis and extending parallel to a
center longitudinal axis of the free end of the handlebar when the
bar end electric shifter is attached to the handlebar of the
bicycle.
7. The bar end electric shifter according to claim 1, wherein the
shift operating member is located on a laterally inner side of the
brake lever with respect to a center plane of a bicycle when the
bar end electric shifter is attached to the handlebar of the
bicycle.
8. The bar end electric shifter according to claim 1, wherein the
brake lever has a housing that enclosing the electric switch.
9. The bar end electric shifter according to claim 1, wherein the
handlebar mounting portion is a bar end mount that is dimensioned
to fit inside the free end of the handlebar, with the bar end mount
having a brake control wire receiving passageway extending in a
longitudinal direction of the bar end mount to guide a brake
control wire into the free end of the handlebar.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention generally relates to a bicycle control device
for performing a shifting operation. More specifically, the present
invention relates to a bar end electric shifter with an integrated
brake lever.
[0003] 2. Background Information
[0004] Bicycling is becoming an increasingly more popular form of
recreation as well as a means of transportation. Moreover,
bicycling has become a very popular competitive sport for both
amateurs and professionals. Whether the bicycle is used for
recreation, transportation or competition, the bicycle industry is
constantly improving the various components of the bicycle,
especially the bicycle control devices for shifting and
braking.
[0005] In the case of a time trial bicycle, a bull horn handlebar
is often used that curves forward away from the rider that allows
the rider to ride in a tuck position. The bull horn handlebar is
sometimes provided with a pair of aero bars or a single loop shaped
aero bar. The aero bar attaches to the main bar near the stem and
provides a position where the hands and fore-arms are close
together, low and forward, providing a very aerodynamic (though
less stable) position. Typically, each end of the bull horn
handlebar is provided with a "handlebar end shifter" or "bar end
shifter". These bar end shifters can include a brake lever in some
instances.
[0006] In the past, bar end shifters were mechanically operated
devices that were sometimes located near the brake levers of the
bicycle. Thus, an operating force was typically applied by one of
the rider's fingers to operate a shift control lever, which in turn
transmitted the operating force to the drive component of a bicycle
shifting mechanism by a cable that was fixed at one end to the
control lever. More recently, electric switches have been used
instead of mechanical control levers in order to operate the
bicycle shifting mechanism. One example of an electrical shift
control device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,358,451. This patent
discloses a plurality of electric switches may be provided at a
plurality of handlebar locations in order to allow for quicker
shifts and to enhance responsiveness. Another example of a bicycle
electrical shift control device is disclosed in U.S. Patent
Application Publication No. 2005/0211014.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] One object of the present invention is to provide a bar end
electric shifter that can be easily operated.
[0008] The foregoing object can basically be attained by providing
a bar end electric shifter for bicycle. The bar end electric
shifter comprises a base member, a brake lever and a shift
operating member. The base member includes a handlebar mounting
portion and a brake lever mounting portion. The handlebar mounting
portion is configured to be fixedly mounted to a free end of a
handlebar. The brake lever is pivotally disposed on the brake lever
mounting portion about a brake pivot axis. The brake lever includes
an elongated brake operating portion extending from the brake pivot
axis and a proximal portion adjacent to the brake pivot axis. The
shift operating member is disposed on the proximal portion of the
brake lever to move therewith.
[0009] This and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of
the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the
art from the following detailed description, which, taken in
conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses a preferred
embodiment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of
this original disclosure:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a partial front perspective view of a bicycle
having a time trial or bull horn handlebar that is equipped with a
pair of main bar end electric shifters (shift control devices)
mounted to the free ends of the bull horn handlebar in accordance
with a first embodiment;
[0012] FIG. 2 is an enlarged inside perspective view of the right
bar end electric shifter attached to the right free end of the bull
horn handlebar illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 3 is an inside perspective view, similar to FIG. 2, of
the bar end electric shifter, but prior to attachment to the right
free end of the bull horn handlebar illustrated in FIGS. 1 and
2;
[0014] FIG. 4 is an inside elevational view of the bar end electric
shifter illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3;
[0015] FIG. 5 is an inside elevational view, similar to FIG. 4, of
the bar end electric shifter, but with the brake lever moved to the
braking position;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a rear end elevational view of the bar end
electric shifter illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5;
[0017] FIG. 7 is an inside elevational view of the bar end electric
shifter illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6, but with the inside cover of
the switch housing removed;
[0018] FIG. 8 is an outside elevational view of the bar end
electric shifter illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 7, but with the switch
housing removed;
[0019] FIG. 9 is an outside elevational view of the bar end
electric shifter illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 8, but with the switch
and the switch housing removed;
[0020] FIG. 10 is an inside elevational view of the bar end
electric shifter illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 9, but with the switch
and the switch housing removed;
[0021] FIG. 11 is an inside perspective view of the bar end
electric shifter illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 10 with the inside cover
exploded outwardly to reveal the internal shifting components;
and
[0022] FIG. 12 is an inside perspective view of the bar end
electric shifter illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 8 with the internal
shifting components exploded outwardly from the electrical switch
housing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0023] Selected embodiments of the present invention will now be
explained with reference to the drawings. It will be apparent to
those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the following
descriptions of the embodiments are provided for illustration only
and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the
appended claims and their equivalents.
[0024] Referring initially to FIG. 1, a time trial bicycle 10 is
illustrated with a pair of main bar end electric shifters 11 and 12
in accordance with a first embodiment. The main bar end electric
shifters 11 and 12 are mounted to the free ends of a time trial or
bull horn handlebar 13. The main bar end electric shifters 11 and
12 constitute brake/shift control devices as discussed below. The
bull horn handlebar 13 is also provided with a pair of attachment
or aero bars 14. The aero bars 14 are provided with additional bar
end electric shifters 15 and 16, respectively. The additional bar
end electric shifters 15 and 16 are mounted to the free ends of the
aero bars 14. The additional bar end electric shifters 15 and 16
constitute shift control devices. The main bar end electric
shifters 11 and 12 and the additional bar end electric shifters 15
and 16 form parts of a brake and shift control system of the
bicycle 10.
[0025] Basically, one of the main bar end electric shifters 11 and
12 and one of the additional bar end electric shifters 15 and 16
are operatively coupled to a rear derailleur (not shown), while the
other ones of the main bar end electric shifters 11 and 12 and the
additional bar end electric shifters 15 and 16 are operatively
coupled to a front derailleur (not shown). For example, the bar end
electric shifters 11 and 15 are operatively coupled to a rear
derailleur (not shown), while the bar end electric shifters 12 and
16 are operatively coupled to a front derailleur (not shown).
[0026] Since derailleurs and braking devices as well as other
conventional bicycle parts of the bicycle 10 are well known in the
bicycle art, the derailleurs, the braking devices and the other
bicycle parts of the bicycle 10 will not be discussed or
illustrated in detail herein, except for the parts relating to the
bar end electric shifters. Moreover, various conventional bicycle
parts, which are not illustrated and/or discussed in detail herein,
can also be used in conjunction with the bicycle 10.
[0027] Referring now to FIGS. 2 to 6, since the main bar end
electric shifters 11 and 12 are essentially identical in
construction and operation, except that they are mirror images of
each other, only the main bar end electric shifter 12 will be
discussed and illustrated in detail herein. The main bar end
electric shifter 12 mainly includes a base member 24, a brake lever
26 and an electrical shift control switch assembly 28.
[0028] Preferably, the base member 24 includes a handlebar mounting
portion 30 and a brake lever mounting portion 32. The handlebar
mounting portion 30 is formed at a proximal end of the base member
24 with respect to the bull horn handlebar 13. The brake lever
mounting portion 32 is formed at a distal end of the base member 24
with respect to the bull horn handlebar 13. In the illustrated
embodiment, the handlebar mounting portion 30 and the brake lever
mounting portion 32 are primarily formed of a hard rigid plastic
material. Basically, the base member 24 pivotally supports the
brake lever 26, which in turn supports the electrical shift control
switch assembly 28. The brake lever 26 is connected to one end of a
brake control wire 34 to mechanically operate a braking device. The
brake control wire 34 runs along the inside of the bull horn
handlebar 13, as explained below. The electrical shift control
switch assembly 28 is electrically coupled to an electric
derailleur or some other type of gear shifting device by an
electrical cord 36. The electrical cord 36 runs along the outside
of the bull horn handlebar 13, and is preferably covered by
handlebar tape as seen in FIG. 1.
[0029] As seen in FIG. 2, the handlebar mounting portion 30 is
configured to be fixedly mounted to a right free end of the bull
horn handlebar 13 such that the electrical shift control switch
assembly 28 is operable on the inwardly facing side of the base
member 24, and the brake lever 26 extends downwardly and generally
parallel to a main center longitudinal axis A.sub.1 of the
handlebar 13. In particular, the handlebar mounting portion 30 is a
bar end mount that is dimensioned to fit inside the free end of the
bull horn handlebar 13. As seen in FIG. 4, the bar end mount that
forms the handlebar mounting portion 30 has a brake control wire
receiving passageway 30a extending in a longitudinal direction of
the bar end mount to guide the brake control wire 34 into the free
end of the bull horn handlebar 13 of the bicycle 10. Preferably,
the brake control wire receiving passageway 30a is a threaded
passageway, which is formed by a metallic insert embedded in the
handlebar mounting portion 30.
[0030] As seen in FIGS. 2 to 4, an attachment structure 38 is used
to mount the handlebar mounting portion 30. The attachment
structure 38 basically has a fixing bolt 40 and three expansion
members 42, which are coupled together by an expandable ring member
44. The fixing bolt 40 has a brake control wire receiving
passageway 40a as seen in FIG. 3. Preferably, at least part of the
brake control wire receiving passageway 40a has a hexagonal cross
section for receiving a hex tool such as an Allen wrench.
[0031] Basically, the attachment structure 38 is an expandable unit
that is slidable within the free end of the handlebar 13 together
with the bar end mount that forms the handlebar mounting portion 30
when in a first unexpanded configuration. When the fixing bolt 40
is threaded into the brake control wire receiving passageway 30a,
the expansion members 42 are forced into engagement with an outer
tapered surface 30b of the handlebar mounting portion 30 such that
the fixing bolt 40 and the handlebar mounting portion 30 push the
expansion members 42 radially outward to a second expanded
configuration. When in a second expanded configuration, the
attachment structure 38 retains the handlebar mounting portion 30
in a non-slidable state within the free end of the handlebar
13.
[0032] The outer tapered surface 30b of the handlebar mounting
portion 30 is sized to be received inside the free end of the
handlebar 13. The outer tapered surface 30b is preferably provided
with wedges that partially define a frustoconical shape. The
expansion members 42 are preferably circumferentially arranged
about a longitudinal axis of the fixing bolt 40 to move radially
outwardly upon axially moving the fixing bolt 40 (i.e., screwing
the fixing bolt 40 into the threaded bore of the brake control wire
receiving passageway 30a). Each of the expansion members 42
includes a pair of opposed, arc-shaped inclined surfaces, and an
outer groove. The expandable ring member 44 is preferably a coiled
wire ring that is constructed to form a resiliently expandable
ring. The expandable ring member 44 extends around the expansion
members 42 to retain the expansion members 42 together with the
fixing bolt 40. The arc shaped inclined surfaces of the expansion
members 42 form a substantially frustoconically shaped wedge. The
outer tapered surface 30b of the handlebar mounting portion 30
contacts the inclined surfaces of the expansion members 42. Thus,
when the fixing bolt 40 is rotated to move towards the outer
tapered surface 30b of the handlebar mounting portion 30, the
inclined surfaces cooperate with inclined surfaces of the fixing
bolt and the outer tapered surface 30b, respectively, to move the
expansion members 42 and the expandable ring member 44 (i.e., the
expansion structure) radially outward.
[0033] As can best be seen from FIGS. 4 and 5, the brake lever 26
is pivotally disposed on the brake lever mounting portion 32 about
a brake pivot axis A.sub.2. The brake lever 26 includes a proximal
portion 26a surrounding the brake pivot axis A.sub.2 and an
elongated brake operating portion 26b extending from the proximal
portion 26a surrounding the brake pivot axis A.sub.2 to a free end.
The proximal portion 26a has a U shaped brake wire attachment
element 46 pivotally mounted thereto. One end the brake control
wire 34 is attached to the attachment element 46, while the other
end of the brake control wire 34 is attached to a brake device (not
shown).
[0034] As seen in FIGS. 7, 8, 11 and 12, the proximal portion 26a
also supports the electrical shift control switch assembly 28 such
that the electrical shift control switch assembly 28 moves with the
brake lever 26 as the brake lever 26 is pivoted from a rest
position (FIG. 4) to a braking position (FIG. 5). Thus, the
relationship between the brake lever 26 and the electrical shift
control switch assembly 28 remains unchanged during a braking
operation.
[0035] As seen in FIGS. 7 to 12, the electrical shift control
switch assembly 28 basically includes an electrical switch 48, an
electrical switch housing 50, a first electrical shift operating
member 51 and a second electrical shift operating member 52. As
seen in FIG. 12, the electrical shift control switch assembly 28 is
electrically coupled to the electrical cord 36 which has two or
more electrical conductors. The precise structure of the electrical
shift control switch assembly 28 is not important to the
understanding of the illustrated embodiment and can be construction
in a variety of ways to carry out the shifting operation.
[0036] The electric switch 48 is disposed on the proximal portion
26a of the brake lever 26. In particular, the electrical switch 48
is fixedly mounted to the proximal portion 26a of the brake lever
26 by a pair of screws 54. The shift operating members 51 and 52
are disposed on the proximal portion 26a of the brake lever 26 so
as to move with the proximal portion 26a of the brake lever 26. The
electrical shift operating members 51 and 52 are pivotally mounted
to the proximal portion 26a of the brake lever 26 by a single pivot
pin 68, and configured to activate the electric switch 48 by
movement of the shift operating members 51 and 52 with respect to
the brake lever 26.
[0037] The electrical switch housing 50 houses the electrical
switch 48 and holds the electrical shift operating members 51 and
52 in their neutral or rest positions against the biasing forces of
return springs 58a and 58b. The shift operating members 51 and 52
are preferably located on a laterally inner side of the electrical
switch housing 50 with respect to a vertical center plane of the
bicycle 10 when the bar end electric shifter 12 is attached to the
bull horn handlebar 13 of the bicycle 10. Thus, in this embodiment,
the electrical shift operating members 51 and 52 are located on the
lateral side of the electrical switch housing 50 that faces towards
the vertical center plane of the bicycle 10.
[0038] As seen in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, the second electrical
shift operating member 52 protrudes out from the inner cover part
50a by a greater amount than the first electrical shift operating
member 51. Also in this embodiment, the first electrical shift
operating member 51 is disposed above the second electrical shift
operating member 52, with the second electrical shift operating
member 52 being longer in dimension than the first electrical shift
operating member 51 in a direction parallel to the main center
longitudinal axis A.sub.1 of the free end of the bull horn
handlebar 13. Also in this embodiment, the second electrical shift
operating member 52 is shorter in dimension than the first
electrical shift operating member 51 in a direction perpendicular
to the main center longitudinal axis A.sub.1 of the free end of the
bull horn handlebar 13. The first electrical shift operating member
51 is disposed primarily above plane P.sub.1 containing the brake
pivot axis A.sub.2 and extending parallel to the main center
longitudinal axis A.sub.1 of the free end of the bull horn
handlebar 13 when the bar end electric shifter 12 is attached to
the bull horn handlebar 13 of the bicycle 10. The second electrical
shift operating member 52 is disposed primarily below the plane
P.sub.1 when the bar end electric shifter 12 is attached to the
bull horn handlebar 13 of the bicycle 10.
[0039] The electrical shift operating members 51 and 52 are
disposed on an opposite side of a plane P.sub.2 from the handlebar
mounting portion 30. The plane P.sub.2 contains the brake pivot
axis A.sub.2 and extends perpendicular to the center longitudinal
axis A.sub.1 of the free end of the bull horn handlebar 13 when the
bar end electric shifter 12 is attached to the bull horn handlebar
13 of the bicycle 10. Thus, the handlebar mounting portion 30 is
disposed on a first side of the plane P.sub.2 while the electrical
shift operating members 51 and 52 are disposed on second side of
the plane P.sub.2.
[0040] The electrical switch housing 50 has an inner cover part 50a
and an outer cover part 50b that form a hollow interior for housing
the electrical switch 48. Thus, the brake lever 26 effectively
includes the electrical switch housing 50 that enclosing the
electrical switch 48. The inner cover part 50a forms a first
lateral side of the electrical switch housing 50 that faces towards
a vertical center plane of the bicycle 10 when the handlebar
mounting portion 30 is mounted to the free end of the handlebar 13.
The outer cover part 50b forms a second lateral side of the
electrical switch housing 50 that is opposite to the inner cover
part 50a and faces away from the vertical center plane of the
bicycle 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the center axis A.sub.1
of the free end of the handlebar 13 extends longitudinally through
an upper portion of the electrical switch housing 50 between the
first and second lateral sides when the handlebar mounting portion
30 is mounted to the free end of the handlebar 13.
[0041] In the illustrated embodiment, the inner and outer cover
parts 50a and 50b are fastened to the proximal portion 26a of the
brake lever 26 by three fasteners 60 such as screws in a releasable
and reinstallable manner. In the illustrated embodiment, the inner
cover part 50a is provided with three threaded holes, while the
outer cover part 50b is provided with two unthreaded holes. The
proximal portion 26a of the brake lever 26 has two holes such that
two of the three fasteners 60 pass through the holes in the
proximal portion 26a of the brake lever 26 when the inner and outer
cover parts 50a and 50b are fastened to the proximal portion 26a of
the brake lever 26. When the fasteners 60 are unthreaded from holes
in the inner cover part 50a, the inner and outer cover parts 50a
and 50b can be detached from the brake lever 26. The electrical
switch 48 can then be removed from the brake lever 26 without
detaching the handlebar mounting portion 30 from the handlebar
13.
[0042] The electrical switch 48 and the electrical shift operating
members 51 and 52 cooperate together to form a pair of push buttons
type switches. The electrical shift operating members 51 and 52
protrude outwardly from the inner cover part 50a of the electrical
switch housing 50. Preferably, the electrical shift operating
members 51 and 52 pivot about an operating axis A.sub.3. As
mentioned above, the biasing forces of the return springs 58a and
58b hold the electrical shift operating members 51 and 52,
respectively, in their neutral or rest positions. Thus, the
electrical shift operating members 51 and 52 are preferably push
buttons in which each are movable relative to the base member 24
from their neutral or rest position to an actuating position
against the biasing forces of the return springs 58a and 58b,
respectively.
[0043] Accordingly, the electrical shift operating members 51 and
52 can be utilized for both downshifting and upshifting one of the
derailleurs. The first electrical shift operating member 51 is a
downshift button that depressed to downshift towards a lower gear,
while the second electrical shift operating member 52 is an upshift
button that depressed to upshift towards a higher gear. Of course,
it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this
disclosure that the upshifting and downshifting operations of the
electrical shift operating members 51 and 52 could be reversed if
needed and/or desired, depending on how the electrical cord 36 is
connected.
[0044] In the illustrated embodiment, as seen in FIG. 12, the
electrical switch 48 includes first and second actuating buttons 61
and 62 are normally open pushbutton switches. The electrical switch
48 is electrically coupled to the electrical cord 36 such that a
first electrical shift signal is output in response to the first
electrical shift operating member 51 being depressed, which closes
a first internal circuit of the electrical switch 48, and such that
a second electrical shift signal is output in response to the
second electrical shift operating member 52 being depressed, which
closes a second internal circuit of the electrical switch 48.
[0045] Each of the first and second actuating buttons 61 and 62 has
an internal spring mechanism (not shown) that returns the actuating
buttons 61 and 62 to its "out" or "unpressed" position once the
shift operating member 51 or 52 is released. Preferably, the first
actuating button 61 has a projection 61a that is operated
(depressed) by a contact actuating spring 63a in response to the
first electrical shift operating member 51 being depressed. More
specifically, one (first) end of the contact actuating spring 63a
is frictionally engaged with the projection 61a, while the other
(second) end of the first contact actuating spring 63a is slidably
engaged with a projection 51a of the first electrical shift
operating member 51. The first end of the contact actuating spring
63a engages the projection 61a to hold the contact actuating spring
63a in a recess on the outbound side of the electrical switch 48.
The second end of the contact actuating spring 63a engages the
projection 51a of the first electrical shift operating member 51 to
hold the contact actuating spring 63a within a recess defined by a
circular wall 51b of the first electrical shift operating member
51. When the first electrical shift operating member 51 is
depressed against the biasing force of the return spring 58a, the
contact actuating spring 63a will initially slide on the engage the
projection 51a of the first electrical shift operating member 51
and then the contact actuating spring 63a will be slightly
compressed before depressing the first actuating button 61 to send
a shift signal.
[0046] Similarly, the second actuating button 62 has a projection
62a that is operated (depressed) by a contact actuating spring 63b
in response to the second electrical shift operating member 52.
More specifically, one (first) end of the second contact actuating
spring 63b is frictionally engaged with the projection 62a, while
the other (second) end of the second contact actuating spring 63b
is slidably engaged with a projection 52a of the second electrical
shift operating member 52. The first end of the contact actuating
spring 63b engages the projection 62a to hold the contact actuating
spring 63b in a recess on the outbound side of the electrical
switch 48. The second end of the contact actuating spring 63b
engages the projection 52a of the second electrical shift operating
member 52 to hold the contact actuating spring 63b within a recess
defined by a circular wall 52b of the second electrical shift
operating member 52. When the second electrical shift operating
member 52 is depressed against the biasing force of the return
spring 58b, the contact actuating spring 63b will initially slide
on the engage the projection 52a of the second electrical shift
operating member 52 and then the contact actuating spring 63b will
be slightly compressed before depressing the second actuating
button 62 to send a shift signal. The electrical switch 48 is a
conventional type of switch that is well known and thus, the
details of the electrical switch 48 will not be illustrated and/or
described in greater detail herein.
[0047] In the illustrated embodiment, as seen in FIG. 12, the
electrical switch 48 is mounted to the outbound side of the
proximal portion 26a of the brake lever 26 by three fasteners 64
such as screws in a releasable and reinstallable manner. The
electrical switch 48 overlies an opening in the proximal portion
26a of the brake lever 26 such that the actuating buttons 61 and 62
are exposed through the opening in the proximal portion 26a of the
brake lever 26. A gasket 66 is disposed between the inbound side of
the electrical switch 48 and the outbound side of the proximal
portion 26a of the brake lever 26.
[0048] Referring to back to FIG. 1, since the bar end electric
shifters 15 and 16 are essentially identical in construction and
operation, except that they are mirror images of each other.
Moreover, the additional bar end electric shifters 15 and 16 are
similar in construction and operation to the main bar end electric
shifter 12, discussed above, except that the braking aspect of the
main bar end electric shifter 12 has been eliminated from the bar
end electric shifters 15 and 16.
General Interpretation of Terms
[0049] As used herein to describe the electrical bicycle shift
control device, the following directional terms "forward",
"rearward", "above", "downward", "vertical", "horizontal", "below",
"outbound", "inbound" and "transverse" as well as any other similar
directional tenns refer to those directions of a bicycle equipped
with the electrical bicycle shift control device. Accordingly,
these terms, as utilized to describe the shifter should be
interpreted relative to a bicycle equipped with the electrical
bicycle shift control device. Also in understanding the scope of
the present invention, the term "comprising" and its derivatives,
as used herein, are intended to be open ended tenns that specify
the presence of the stated features, elements, components, groups,
integers, and/or steps, but do not exclude the presence of other
unstated features, elements, components, groups, integers and/or
steps. The foregoing also applies to words having similar meanings
such as the terms, "including", "having" and their derivatives.
Also, the terms "member" or "element" when used in the singular can
have the dual meaning of a single part or a plurality of parts.
Finally, terms of degree such as "substantially", "about" and
"approximately" as used herein mean a reasonable amount of
deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not
significantly changed.
[0050] While only selected embodiments have been chosen to
illustrate the present invention, it will be apparent to those
skilled in the art from this disclosure that various changes and
modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope
of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example,
while the above structures are especially useful as bar end
shifters for aero bars and/or bull horn handlebars, it will be
apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the
above structures can be adapted to other types of shifters that are
mounted to the handlebar at an area other than the bar end.
Moreover, for example, the size, shape, location or orientation of
the various components can be changed as needed and/or desired.
Components that are shown directly connected or contacting each
other can have intermediate structures disposed between them. The
functions of one element can be performed by two, and vice versa.
The structures and functions of one embodiment can be adopted in
another embodiment. It is not necessary for all advantages to be
present in a particular embodiment at the same time. Every feature
which is unique from the prior art, alone or in combination with
other features, also should be considered a separate description of
further inventions by the applicant, including the structural
and/or functional concepts embodied by such feature(s). Thus, the
foregoing descriptions of the embodiments according to the present
invention are provided for illustration only, and not for the
purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims
and their equivalents.
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